In a unanimous decision on Thursday evening, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to keep in place the temporary restraining order on President Trump’s executive order mandating an immigration travel ban on individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries. Trump's executive order bars citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the US for 90 days, all refugees for 120 days and indefinitely halts refugees from Syria. The upholding of the restraining order means that travel from the seven countries can continue to proceed along the prior rules and regulations.

The following is a statement from Steven Choi, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition:

“Tonight’s ruling reinforces the fact that no American is above the law - not even the President. The 9th Circuit Court’s decision to maintain the restraining order is a testament to the checks and balances to ensure that our country is upholding its values of dignity, justice, and inclusion. We thank the federal judges for unanimously recognizing that this executive order hurts our country and does nothing to protect it.

“Trump’s “backdoor Muslim ban” - a display of sheer incompetence and sloppiness - threw the country's airports into chaos and caused tremendous suffering for those trying to be reunited with their families, go back to their jobs or schools, or be resettled as fully-vetted refugees in the United States. This decision allows the United States to continue to live up to its values of welcoming refugees and immigrants who have a rightful place in our country, while maintaining our already robust vetting process for travelers from these countries.

“We know that our work is far from over. While the Administration continues to challenge the ruling, we will fight to permanently lift all of President Trump’s illegal and incompetent executive orders for the sake of all our communities. On the ground, NYIC is committed to leading the #NoBanJFK legal effort to ensure that Customs and Border Protection complies with the temporary restraining order, and we will continue to support those in need.”

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The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for nearly 200 groups in New York State that work with immigrants and refugees. The NYIC aims to achieve a fairer and more just society that values the contributions of immigrants and extends opportunity to all by promoting immigrants’ full civic participation, fostering their leadership, and providing a unified voice and a vehicle for collective action for New York’s diverse immigrant communities.